Back in August, I (Joshua) posted a more academic essay sharing some of the behind-the-scenes linguistic and cross-cultural research that is part of missionary life — Enkiteng Hermeneutics: Reading the Bible with Maasai Christians. Further development of that resulted in two different publications. I’d be pleased if you took a look:
- “An Enkiteng Hermeneutics—Reading (and Hearing!) the Bible with Maasai Christians: A review essay and proposal.” Global Missiology 18, no. 4 (October 2021): 2–16.
read as pdf here
read as html here - “A Four-in-One Book Review: A Four-in-One Book Review: On the Bible and Intercultural Hermeneutics among the Maasai.” International Review of Mission 110, no. 2 (November 2021): 358–363.
read as pdf here
Some of my other research had also been published earlier this year. Take a look, tolle lege (“take and read”):
- “My God is enkAi: a reflection of vernacular theology.” Journal of Language, Culture, and Religion 2, vol. 1 (2021): 1–20.
a pdf of the entire issue is available here - “Conversion or Proselytization? Being Maasai, Becoming Christian.” Global Missiology 18, vol. 2 (April 2021): 11 pages.
read as pdf here
read as html here
These samples of our mission research aren’t as glamorous as sharing pictures of baptisms or of new church building dedications — but without this sort of foundational work, the glamor too often tends be temporary and shorn of lasting glory.